Communication Coverage Navigation

ABSTRACT

A processor may be configured to access mapping data for a route to a destination, as well as information associated with a mobile device that may include usage data of the mobile device, a user profile associated with the mobile device, or demographic data associated with a user of the mobile device. The route to the destination may be displayed along with an indicator of the predicted coverage for the mobile device along the route.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/863,954, filed Sep. 24, 2015, entitled “Communication CoverageNavigation,” which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/683,123, filed Nov. 21, 2012, entitled “LONG TERM EVOLUTIONINTELLIGENT SUBSCRIBER PROFILE.” Both applications are incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to wireless communications andmore specifically relates to directions associated with networkresources.

BACKGROUND

Users are expecting data access anywhere for their mobile devices.Current wide are wireless networks, such as Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) and Long Term Evolution (LTE), allow internetservice providers to offer reasonable uplink and downlink bandwidth andspeed, in which customers can reach Internet based services. Forexample, cloud computing allows customers to make use of a wide range ofcloud based resources such as platform as a service (PaaS), storage as aservice (SaaS), computing as a service, and the like. But exponentialgrowth in cloud services and other Internet services has caused acorresponding increase in congestion on wide are wireless networks,which may reduce the effectiveness of cloud and other data services forusers.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary that describes some aspectsof the subject disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. Indeed, additional or alternative aspects of the subjectdisclosure may be available beyond those described in the summary.

In an example, a processor may access information associated with amobile device, the information associated with the mobile device mayinclude a first data usage for a first data session associated with themobile device. The data may be analyzed in a manner to predict a seconddata usage for a second data session associated with the mobile device.Ultimately, a network for the mobile device may be configured based onthe predicted second data usage for the second data session associatedwith the mobile device.

In another example, a processor may be configured to access mapping datafor a route to a destination, as well as information associated with amobile device, that includes at least one of usage data of the mobiledevice, a user profile associated with the mobile device, or demographicdata associated with a user of the mobile device. Coverage may bepredicted for the mobile device along the route based on an analysis ofthe information associated with the mobile device and the mapping datafor the route. The route to the destination may be displayed along withan indicator of the predicted coverage for the mobile device along theroute.

In another example, a system may include a network device and a mobiledevice, wherein the mobile device is capable of accessing a wide areawireless network domain and alternate network domain. The network devicemay be configured to access historical information associated with themobile device, access a current state of the wide area wireless network,and predict the use of the mobile device based on an analysis of theinformation associated with the mobile device and the current state ofthe wide area wireless network. The mobile device may be instructed touse the alternate domain network based on the predicted use of themobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is better understood when read inconjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes ofillustration, examples are shown in the drawings; however, the subjectmatter is not limited to the specific elements and instrumentalitiesdisclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an example communications system in whichone or more disclosed examples may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary mobile device inwhich one or more disclosed examples may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary processor in whichone or more disclosed examples may be implemented.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichone or more disclosed examples may be implemented.

FIG. 5 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary architecture of a typicalGPRS network, segmented into four groups, in which one or more disclosedexamples may be implemented.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting alternate block diagram of anexemplary GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in which one ormore disclosed examples may be implemented.

FIG. 7 illustrates a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) block diagramview of an exemplary architecture in which one or more disclosedexamples may be implemented.

FIG. 8 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary architecture of a LTEnetwork, in which one or more disclosed examples may be implemented.

FIG. 9 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method 300 of implementingone or more disclosed examples.

FIG. 10 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method 400 of implementingone or more disclosed examples.

FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method 430 of implementingone or more disclosed examples.

FIG. 12 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary map that displays acoverage prediction.

FIG. 13 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary network configurationcomprising a wide area wireless network domain and an alternativenetwork domain.

FIG. 14 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method for switchingbetween a wide area wireless network domain and an alternative networkdomain.

FIG. 15 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary network configuration 800according to one or more disclosed examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example communications system 100 in which oneor more disclosed examples may be implemented. The communications system100 may be a multiple access system that provides content, such asvoice, data, video, messaging, broadcast, etc., to multiple wirelessusers. The communications system 100 may enable multiple wireless usersto access such content through the sharing of system resources,including wireless bandwidth. For example, the communications systems100 may employ one or more channel access methods, such as code divisionmultiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequencydivision multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrierFDMA (SC-FDMA), and the like. A communications system such as that shownin FIG. 1 may also be referred to herein as a network.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communications system 100 may include wirelesstransmit/receive units (WTRUs) 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d, a radioaccess network (RAN) 104, a core network 106, a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, and other networks 112,though it will be appreciated that the disclosed examples contemplateany number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and/or network elements.Each of the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may be any type of deviceconfigured to operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. Byway of example, the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may be configuredto transmit and/or receive wireless signals and may include userequipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile device, a fixed or mobilesubscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer,a wireless sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.

The communications systems 100 may also include a base station 114 a anda base station 114 b. Each of the base stations 114 a, 114 b may be anytype of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one ofthe WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d to facilitate access to one or morecommunication networks, such as the core network 106, the Internet 110,and/or the networks 112. By way of example, the base stations 114 a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a HomeNode B, a Home eNode B, a site controller, an access point (AP), awireless router, and the like. While the base stations 114 a, 114 b areeach depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the basestations 114 a, 114 b may include any number of interconnected basestations and/or network elements.

The base station 114 a may be part of the RAN 104, which may alsoinclude other base stations and/or network elements (not shown), such asa base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), relaynodes, etc. The base station 114 a and/or the base station 114 b may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals within aparticular geographic region, which may be referred to as a cell (notshown). The cell may further be divided into cell sectors. For example,the cell associated with the base station 114 a may be divided intothree sectors. Thus, in an example, the base station 114 a may includethree transceivers, i.e., one for each sector of the cell. In anotherexample, the base station 114 a may employ multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) technology and, therefore, may utilize multipletransceivers for each sector of the cell.

The base stations 114 a, 114 b may communicate with one or more of theWTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d over an air interface 116, which may beany suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF),microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, etc.). Theair interface 116 may be established using any suitable radio accesstechnology (RAT).

More specifically, as noted above, the communications system 100 may bea multiple access system and may employ one or more channel accessschemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and the like. Forexample, the base station 114 a in the RAN 104 and the WTRUs 102 a, 102b, 102 c may implement a radio technology such as Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) thatmay establish the air interface 116 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMAmay include communication protocols such as High-Speed Packet Access(HSPA) and/or Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed DownlinkPacket Access (HSDPA) and/or High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).

In another example, the base station 114 a and the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b,102 c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTS TerrestrialRadio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air interface 116 usingLong Term Evolution (LTE) and/or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

In other example, the base station 114 a and the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE 802.16 (i.e., WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1×,CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95(IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSMEDGE (GERAN), and the like.

The base station 114 b in FIG. 1 may be a wireless router, Home Node B,Home eNode B, or access point, for example, and may utilize any suitableRAT for facilitating wireless connectivity in a localized area, such asa place of business, a home, a vehicle, a campus, and the like. In oneexample, the base station 114 b and the WTRUs 102 c, 102 d may implementa radio technology such as IEEE 802.11 to establish a wireless localarea network (WLAN). In another example, the base station 114 b and theWTRUs 102 c, 102 d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet anotherexample, the base station 114 b and the WTRUs 102 c, 102 d may utilize acellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, etc.) toestablish a picocell or femtocell. As shown in FIG. 1, the base station114 b may have a direct connection to the Internet 110. Thus, the basestation 114 b may not be required to access the Internet 110 via thecore network 106.

The RAN 104 may be in communication with the core network 106, which maybe any type of network configured to provide voice, data, applications,and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services to one or more ofthe WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d. For example, the core network 106may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-basedservices, pre-paid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution,etc., and/or perform high-level security functions, such as userauthentication. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it will be appreciatedthat the RAN 104 and/or the core network 106 may be in direct orindirect communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as theRAN 104 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connectedto the RAN 104, which may be utilizing an E-UTRA radio technology, thecore network 106 may also be in communication with another RAN (notshown) employing a GSM radio technology.

The core network 106 may also serve as a gateway for the WTRUs 102 a,102 b, 102 c, 102 d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet 110, and/orother networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include circuit-switched telephonenetworks that provide plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet110 may include a global system of interconnected computer networks anddevices that use common communication protocols, such as thetransmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) andthe internet protocol (IP) in the TCP/IP internet protocol suite. Thenetworks 112 may include wired or wireless communications networks ownedand/or operated by other service providers. For example, the networks112 may include another core network connected to one or more RANs,which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 or a different RAT.

Some or all of the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d in thecommunications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities, i.e., theWTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may include multiple transceivers forcommunicating with different wireless networks over different wirelesslinks. For example, the WTRU 102 c shown in FIG. 1 may be configured tocommunicate with the base station 114 a, which may employ acellular-based radio technology, and with the base station 114 b, whichmay employ an IEEE 802 radio technology.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example wireless device 1010 (i.e., WTRU) that maybe used in connection with an example. References will also be made toother figures of the present disclosure as appropriate. For example,mobile devices 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c may be wireless devices of thetype described in regard to FIG. 2, and may have some, all, or none ofthe components and modules described in regard to FIG. 2. It will beappreciated that the components and modules of wireless device 1010illustrated in FIG. 2 are illustrative, and that any number and type ofcomponents and/or modules may be present in wireless device 1010. Inaddition, the functions performed by any or all of the components andmodules illustrated in FIG. 2 may be performed by any number of physicalcomponents. Thus, it is possible that in some examples the functionalityof more than one component and/or module illustrated in FIG. 2 may beperformed by any number or types of hardware and/or software.

Processor 1021 may be any type of circuitry that performs operations onbehalf of wireless device 1010. Such circuitry may include circuitry andother components that enable processor 1021 to perform any of thefunctions and methods described herein. Such circuitry and othercomponents may also enable processor 1021 to communicate and/or interactwith other devices and components, for example any other component ofdevice of wireless device 1010, in such a manner as to enable processor118 and such other devices and/or components to perform any of thedisclosed functions and methods. In one example, processor 1021 executessoftware (i.e., computer readable instructions stored in a computerreadable medium) that may include functionality related to dynamicnetwork domain interoperability, for example. User interface module 1022may be any type or combination of hardware and/or software that enablesa user to operate and interact with wireless device 1010, and, in oneexample, to interact with a system or software enabling the user toplace, request, and/or receive calls, text communications of any type,voicemail, voicemail notifications, voicemail content and/or data,and/or a system or software enabling the user to view, modify, or deleterelated software objects. For example, user interface module 1022 mayinclude a display, physical and/or “soft” keys, voice recognitionsoftware, a microphone, a speaker and the like. Wireless communicationmodule 1023 may be any type of transceiver including any combination ofhardware and/or software that enables wireless device 1010 tocommunicate with wireless network equipment. Memory 1024 enableswireless device 1010 to store information, such as APNs, MNCs, MCCs,text communications content and associated data, multimedia content,software to efficiently process radio resource requests and servicerequests, and radio resource request processing preferences andconfigurations. Memory 1024 may take any form, such as internal randomaccess memory (RAM), an SD card, a microSD card and the like. Powersupply 1025 may be a battery or other type of power input (e.g., acharging cable that is connected to an electrical outlet, etc.) that iscapable of powering wireless device 1010. SIM 1026 may be any typeSubscriber Identity Module and may be configured on a removable ornon-removable SIM card that allows wireless device 1010 to store data onSIM 1026.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example processor 1158 which may beemployed in any of the examples described herein, including as one ormore components of mobile devices 102 a thru 102 d, as one or morecomponents of network equipment such as S-GW 1343, PDN Gateway 1345 anyother component of networks 1340 and 1330, and/or any related equipment,and/or as one or more components of any third party system or subsystemthat may implement any portion of the subject matter described herein.It is emphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 3 is exemplaryand not intended to imply a specific implementation. Thus, the processor1158 can be implemented in a single processor or multiple processors.Multiple processors can be distributed or centrally located. Multipleprocessors can communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or a combinationthereof. Processor 1158 may include circuitry and other components thatenable processor 1158 to perform any of the functions and methodsdescribed herein. Such circuitry and other components may also enableprocessor 1158 to communicate and/or interact with other devices andcomponents, for example any other component of any device disclosedherein or any other device, in such a manner as to enable processor 1158and such other devices and/or components to perform any of the disclosedfunctions and methods.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the processor 1158 comprises a processing portion1160, a memory portion 1162, and an input/output portion 1164. Theprocessing portion 1160, memory portion 1162, and input/output portion1164 are coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 3) to allowcommunications between these portions. The input/output portion 1164 iscapable of providing and/or receiving components, commands, and/orinstructions, utilized to, for example, request and receive APNs, MNCs,and/or MCCs, establish and terminate communications sessions, transmitand receive service requests and data access request data and responses,transmit, receive, store and process text, data, and voicecommunications, execute software that efficiently processes radioresource requests, receive and store service requests and radio resourcerequests, radio resource request processing preferences andconfigurations, and/or perform any other function described herein.

The processor 1158 may be implemented as a client processor and/or aserver processor. In a basic configuration, the processor 1158 mayinclude at least one processing portion 1160 and memory portion 1162.The memory portion 1162 can store any information utilized inconjunction with establishing, transmitting, receiving, and/orprocessing text, data, and/or voice communications,communications-related data and/or content, voice calls, othertelephonic communications, etc. For example, the memory portion iscapable of storing APNs, MNCs, MCCs, service requests, radio resourcerequests, QoS and/or APN parameters, software for dynamic network domaininteroperability, intelligent subscriber profiles, text and datacommunications, calls, voicemail, multimedia content, visual voicemailapplications, etc. Depending upon the exact configuration and type ofprocessor, the memory portion 1162 can be volatile (such as RAM) 1166,non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) 1168, or a combinationthereof. The processor 1158 can have additional features/functionality.For example, the processor 1158 may include additional storage(removable storage 1170 and/or non-removable storage 1172) including,but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks, tape, flash, smart cardsor a combination thereof. Computer storage media, such as memory andstorage elements 1162, 1170, 1172, 1166, and 1168, may include volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,universal serial bus (USB) compatible memory, smart cards, or any othermedium that can be used to store the desired information and that can beaccessed by the processor 1158. Any such computer storage media may bepart of the processor 1158. As described herein, a computer storagemedia is an article of manufacture and thus not a transient signal.

The processor 1158 may also contain the communications connection(s)1180 that allow the processor 1158 to communicate with other devices,for example through a radio access network (RAN). Communicationsconnection(s) 1180 is an example of communication media. Communicationmedia typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection as might be used with a land line telephone, andwireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, cellular, and otherwireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein includesboth storage media and communication media. The processor 1158 also canhave input device(s) 1176 such as keyboard, keypad, mouse, pen, voiceinput device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 1174 such as adisplay, speakers, printer, etc. also can be included.

A RAN as described herein may comprise any telephony radio network, orany other type of communications network, wireline or wireless, or anycombination thereof. The following description sets forth some exemplarytelephony radio networks, such as the global system for mobilecommunications (GSM), and non-limiting operating environments. Theoperating environments described herein should be considerednon-exhaustive, however, and the network architectures merely show howdisclosed subject matter (e.g., dynamic network domain interoperability)may be implemented with stationary and non-stationary network structuresand architectures. It can be appreciated, however, that disclosedsubject matter as described herein may be incorporated with existingand/or future alternative architectures for communication networks aswell.

GSM is one of the most widely utilized wireless access systems intoday's fast growing communication environment. GSM providescircuit-switched data services to subscribers, such as mobile telephoneor computer users. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), which is anextension to GSM technology, introduces packet switching to GSMnetworks. The GPRS uses a packet-based wireless communication technologyto transfer high and low speed data and signaling in an efficientmanner. The GPRS attempts to optimize the use of network and radioresources, thus enabling the cost effective and efficient use of GSMnetwork resources for packet mode applications.

The exemplary GSM/GPRS environment and services described herein alsomay be extended to 3G services, such as Universal Mobile TelephoneSystem (UMTS), Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time DivisionDuplexing (TDD), High Speed Packet Data Access (HSPDA), cdma2000 1×Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), Code Division Multiple Access-2000(cdma2000 3×), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), EnhancedData GSM Environment (EDGE), International MobileTelecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (DECT), 4G Services such as Long Term Evolution(LTE), etc., as well as to other network services that become availablein time. In this regard, the disclosed subject matter (e.g., dynamicnetwork domain interoperability) may be applied independently of themethod of data transport and does not depend on any particular networkarchitecture or underlying protocols.

FIG. 4 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichthe disclosed subject matter (e.g., dynamic network domaininteroperability) may be practiced. In an example configuration, any RANas described herein may be encompassed by or interact with the networkenvironment depicted in FIG. 4. Similarly, mobile devices 102 a, 102 b,and 102 c may communicate or interact with a network environment such asthat depicted in FIG. 4. In such an environment, there may be aplurality of Base Station Subsystems (BSS) 900 (only one is shown), eachof which comprises a Base Station Controller (BSC) 902 serving aplurality of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) such as BTSs 904, 906, and908. BTSs 904, 906, 908, etc. are the access points where users ofpacket-based mobile devices (e.g., mobile devices 102 a, 102 b, and 102c) become connected to the wireless network. In exemplary fashion, thepacket traffic originating from user devices (e.g., mobile devices 102a, 102 b, and 102 c) may be transported via an over-the-air interface toa BTS 908, and from the BTS 908 to the BSC 902. Base station subsystems,such as BSS 900, may be a part of internal frame relay network 910 thatcan include Service GPRS Support Nodes (SGSN) such as SGSN 912 and 914.Each SGSN may be connected to an internal packet network 920 throughwhich a SGSN 912, 914, etc. may route data packets to and from aplurality of gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSN) 922, 924, 926, etc. Asillustrated, SGSN 914 and GGSNs 922, 924, and 926 may be part ofinternal packet network 920. Gateway GPRS serving nodes 922, 924 and 926may provide an interface to external Internet Protocol (IP) networks,such as Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 950, corporate intranets 940,or Fixed-End System (FES) or the public Internet 930. As illustrated,subscriber corporate network 940 may be connected to GGSN 924 viafirewall 932, and PLMN 950 may be connected to GGSN 924 via bordergateway router 934. The Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service(RADIUS) server 942 may be used for caller authentication when a user ofa mobile cellular device calls corporate network 940.

Generally, there can be four different cell sizes in a GSM network,referred to as macro, micro, pico, and umbrella cells. The coverage areaof each cell is different in different environments. Macro cells may beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells may betypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells may be used mainly indoors.On the other hand, umbrella cells may be used to cover shadowed regionsof smaller cells and fill in gaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 5 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network segmentedinto four groups: users 1050, radio access network 1060, core network1070, and interconnect network 1080. Users 1050 may comprise a pluralityof end users (though only mobile subscriber 1055 is shown in FIG. 5). Inan example, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 1055 may compriseany of mobile devices 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c. Radio access network 1060comprises a plurality of base station subsystems such as BSSs 1062,which include BTSs 1064 and BSCs 1066. Core network 1070 comprises ahost of various network elements. As illustrated here, core network 1070may comprise Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 1071, Service Control Point(SCP) 1072, gateway MSC 1073, SGSN 1076, Home Location Register (HLR)1074, Authentication Center (AuC) 1075, Domain Name Server (DNS) 1077,and GGSN 1078. Interconnect network 1080 may also comprise a host ofvarious networks and other network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 5,interconnect network 1080 comprises Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) 1082, Fixed-End System (FES) or Internet 1084, firewall 1088, andCorporate Network 1089.

A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 1071, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1082 through Gateway MSC (GMSC)1073, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 1076 that may send the datatraffic to GGSN 1078 for further forwarding.

When MSC 1071 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 1066, it maysend a query to a database hosted by SCP 1072. The SCP 1072 may processthe request and may issue a response to MSC 1071 so that it may continuecall processing as appropriate.

The HLR 1074 may be a centralized database for users to register to theGPRS network. In some examples, HLR 1074 may be a device such as HSSs.HLR 1074 may store static information about the subscribers such as theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), APN profiles asdescribed herein, subscribed services, and a key for authenticating thesubscriber. HLR 1074 may also store dynamic subscriber information suchas dynamic APN profiles and the current location of the mobilesubscriber. HLR 1074 may also serve to intercept and determine thevalidity of destination numbers in messages sent from a device, such asmobile subscriber 1055, as described herein. Associated with HLR 1074may be AuC 1075. AuC 1075 may be a database that contains the algorithmsfor authenticating subscribers and may include the associated keys forencryption to safeguard the user input for authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as mobile devices 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c, used by an enduser of a mobile cellular service or a wireless provider. When a mobilesubscriber turns on his or her mobile device, the mobile device may gothrough an attach process by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSNof the GPRS network. In FIG. 5, when mobile subscriber 1055 initiatesthe attach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice, an attach request may be sent by mobile subscriber 1055 to SGSN1076. The SGSN 1076 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber1055 was attached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 1055.Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber 1055 from the otherSGSN, SGSN 1076 may request more information from mobile subscriber1055. This information may be used to authenticate mobile subscriber1055 to SGSN 1076 by HLR 1074. Once verified, SGSN 1076 sends a locationupdate to HLR 1074 indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, inthis case SGSN 1076. HLR 1074 may notify the old SGSN, to which mobilesubscriber 1055 was attached before, to cancel the location process formobile subscriber 1055. HLR 1074 may then notify SGSN 1076 that thelocation update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 1076 sends anAttach Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055, which in turn sends anAttach Complete message to SGSN 1076.

After attaching itself to the network, mobile subscriber 1055 may thengo through the authentication process. In the authentication process,SGSN 1076 may send the authentication information to HLR 1074, which maysend information back to SGSN 1076 based on the user profile that waspart of the user's initial setup. The SGSN 1076 may then send a requestfor authentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 1055. The mobilesubscriber 1055 may use an algorithm to send the user identification(ID) and password to SGSN 1076. The SGSN 1076 may use the same algorithmand compares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 1076 authenticatesmobile subscriber 1055.

Next, the mobile subscriber 1055 may establish a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 1089, by going through a PacketData Protocol (PDP) activation process. Briefly, in the process, mobilesubscriber 1055 may request access to an Access Point Name (APN), forexample, UPS.com, and SGSN 1076 may receive the activation request frommobile subscriber 1055. SGSN 1076 may then initiate a Domain NameService (DNS) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.comAPN. The DNS query may be sent to the DNS server within the core network1070, such as DNS 1077, that may be provisioned to map to one or moreGGSN nodes in the core network 1070. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN1078 may access the requested corporate network 1089. The SGSN 1076 maythen send to GGSN 1078 a Create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) ContextRequest message that contains necessary information. The GGSN 1078 maysend a Create PDP Context Response message to SGSN 1076, which may thensend an Activate PDP Context Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 1055may then go through radio access network 1060, core network 1070, andinterconnect network 1080, in a particular fixed-end system, or Internet1084 and firewall 1088, to reach corporate network 1089.

Thus, network elements that can invoke the functionality of dynamicnetwork domain interoperability systems and methods and other subjectmatter described herein may include, but are not limited to, GatewayGPRS Support Node tables, Fixed End System router tables, firewallsystems, VPN tunnels, and any number of other network elements asrequired by the particular digital network.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 1100 in which the dynamic network domaininteroperability systems and methods and other subject matter describedherein may be incorporated. As illustrated, architecture 1100 of FIG. 6includes a GSM core network 1101, a GPRS network 1130 and an IPmultimedia network 1138. The GSM core network 1101 includes a MobileStation (MS) 1102, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 1104 anda Base Station Controller (BSC) 1106. The MS 1102 is physical equipmentor Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile telephone or a laptopcomputer (e.g., mobile devices 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c) that is used bymobile subscribers, in one example with a Subscriber identity Module(SIM). The SIM includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI), which is a unique identifier of a subscriber. The SIM may alsoinclude APNs. The BTS 1104 may be physical equipment, such as a radiotower, that enables a radio interface to communicate with the MS. EachBTS may serve more than one MS. The BSC 1106 may manage radio resources,including the BTS. The BSC may be connected to several BTSs. The BSC andBTS components, in combination, are generally referred to as a basestation (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 1103.

The GSM core network 1101 may also include a Mobile Switching Center(MSC) 1108, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1110, a HomeLocation Register (HLR) 1112, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1114, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1118, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1116. The MSC 1108 may perform a switching function for thenetwork. The MSC may also perform other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1110 may provide a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1120. Thus, the GMSC 1110 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1112 may be a database that may contain administrativeinformation regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSMnetwork. Such information may include APNs and APN profiles. The HLR1112 may also contain the current location of each MS. The VLR 1114 maybe a database that contains selected administrative information from theHLR 1112. The VLR may contain information necessary for call control andprovision of subscribed services for each MS currently located in ageographical area controlled by the VLR. The HLR 1112 and the VLR 1114,together with the MSC 1108, may provide the call routing and roamingcapabilities of GSM. The AuC 1116 may provide the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 1118 may storesecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1109 allows one-to-one shortmessage service (SMS), or multimedia message service (MMS), messages tobe sent to/from the MS 1102. A Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 1111 is used to“push” (i.e., send without a synchronous request) content to the MS1102. The PPG 1111 acts as a proxy between wired and wireless networksto facilitate pushing of data to the MS 1102. A Short Message Peer toPeer (SMPP) protocol router 1113 may be provided to convert SMS-basedSMPP messages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol forexchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short messageservice centers. The SMPP protocol is often used to allow third parties,e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulkmessages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as voice, data, short messageservice (SMS), and multimedia message service (MMS), the MS may firstregister with the network to indicate its current location by performinga location update and IMSI attach procedure. MS 1102 may send a locationupdate including its current location information to the MSC/VLR, viaBTS 1104 and BSC 1106. The location information may then be sent to theMS's HLR. The HLR may be updated with the location information receivedfrom the MSC/VLR. The location update may also be performed when the MSmoves to a new location area. Typically, the location update may beperiodically performed to update the database as location updatingevents occur.

GPRS network 1130 may be logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1132, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1134. The SGSN 1132 may be at the samehierarchical level as the MSC 1108 in the GSM network. The SGSN maycontrol the connection between the GPRS network and the MS 1102. TheSGSN may also keep track of individual MS's locations and securityfunctions and access controls.

Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 1133 may communicate cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile telephone customers whoare located within a given part of its network coverage area at the timethe message is broadcast.

GGSN 1134 may provide a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 1136. That is, the GGSN mayprovide interworking functionality with external networks, and set up alogical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it may be transferred to an external TCP-IPnetwork 1136, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order toaccess GPRS services, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS networkby performing an attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet dataprotocol (PDP) context, thus activating a packet communication sessionbetween the MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services may be used inparallel. The MS may operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS may attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS may also supportsimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles may receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS may attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

GPRS network 1130 may be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkmay be indicated by a parameter in system information messagestransmitted within a cell. The system information messages may direct anMS where to listen for paging messages and how to signal towards thenetwork. The network operation mode represents the capabilities of theGPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS may receive pages from a circuitswitched domain (voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS maysuspend the data call or take both simultaneously, depending on theability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may not receive pages from acircuit switched domain when engaged in a data call, since the MS may bereceiving data and may not be listening to a paging channel. In a NOM3network, a MS may monitor pages for a circuit switched network whilereceiving data and vice versa.

The IP multimedia network 1138 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andmay include IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1140 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within IMS 1140 are a call/session control function (CSCF), amedia gateway control function (MGCF) 1146, a media gateway (MGW) 1148,and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server (HSS)1150. HSS 1150 may be common to GSM core network 1101, GPRS network 1130as well as IP multimedia network 1138. HSS 1150 may include multipleHSSs.

IP multimedia system 1140 may be built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)1143, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1142, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1144. TheP-CSCF 1142 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 1140. TheP-CSCF 1142 may forward session initiation protocol (SIP) messagesreceived from the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa)of the MS. The P-CSCF 1142 may also modify an outgoing request accordingto a set of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

I-CSCF 1143 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. I-CSCF 1143 may contact subscriberlocation function (SLF) 1145 to determine which HSS 1150 to use for theparticular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 1150 are present. S-CSCF 1144may perform the session control services for MS 1102. This includesrouting originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 1144 may also decidewhether an application server (AS) 1152 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision may be based on information receivedfrom HSS 1150 (or other sources, such as application server 1152). AS1152 may also communicate to location server 1156 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of MS 1102.

HSS 1150 may contain a subscriber profile and keep track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It may also supportsubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 1150, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 1150 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

MGCF 1146 may provide interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1140 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown.) It may also control themedia gateway (MGW) 1148 that provides user-plane interworkingfunctionality (e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice.) MGW1148 may also communicate with other IP multimedia networks 1154.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile telephones may registerwith the wireless network when the telephones are in a predefined area(e.g., job site, etc.) When the mobile telephones leave the area, theymay register with the network in their new location as being outside thepredefined area. This registration, however, does not indicate theactual physical location of the mobile telephones outside thepre-defined area.

FIG. 7 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an exemplaryarchitecture in which dynamic network domain interoperability systemsand methods and other subject matter described herein may beincorporated. Mobile Station (MS) 1301 is the physical equipment used bythe PLMN subscriber. In one illustrative example, communications device40 may serve as Mobile Station 1301. Mobile Station 1301 may be one of,but not limited to, a cellular telephone, a cellular telephone incombination with another electronic device or any other wireless mobilecommunication device.

Mobile Station 1301 may communicate wirelessly with Base Station System(BSS) 1310. BSS 1310 contains a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1311 and aBase Transceiver Station (BTS) 1312. BSS 1310 may include a single BSC1311/BTS 1312 pair (Base Station) or a system of BSC/BTS pairs which arepart of a larger network. BSS 1310 is responsible for communicating withMobile Station 1301 and may support one or more cells. BSS 1310 isresponsible for handling cellular traffic and signaling between MobileStation 1301 and Core Network 1340. Typically, BSS 1310 performsfunctions that include, but are not limited to, digital conversion ofspeech channels, allocation of channels to mobile devices, paging, andtransmission/reception of cellular signals.

Additionally, Mobile Station 1301 may communicate wirelessly with RadioNetwork System (RNS) 1320. RNS 1320 contains a Radio Network Controller(RNC) 1321 and one or more Node(s) B 1322. RNS 1320 may support one ormore cells. RNS 1320 may also include one or more RNC 1321/Node B 1322pairs or alternatively a single RNC 1321 may manage multiple Nodes B1322. RNS 1320 is responsible for communicating with Mobile Station 1301in its geographically defined area. RNC 1321 is responsible forcontrolling the Node(s) B 1322 that are connected to it and is a controlelement in a UMTS radio access network. RNC 1321 performs functions suchas, but not limited to, load control, packet scheduling, handovercontrol, security functions, as well as controlling Mobile Station1301's access to the Core Network (CN) 1340.

The evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 1330 is aradio access network that provides wireless data communications forMobile Station 1301 and User Equipment 1302. E-UTRAN 1330 provideshigher data rates than traditional UMTS. It is part of the Long TermEvolution (LTE) upgrade for mobile networks and later releases meet therequirements of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)Advanced and are commonly known as a 4G networks. E-UTRAN 1330 mayinclude of series of logical network components such as E-UTRAN Node B(eNB) 1331 and E-UTRAN Node B (eNB) 1332. E-UTRAN 1330 may contain oneor more eNBs. User Equipment 1302 may be any user device capable ofconnecting to E-UTRAN 1330 including, but not limited to, a personalcomputer, laptop, mobile device, wireless router, or other devicecapable of wireless connectivity to E-UTRAN 1330. The improvedperformance of the E-UTRAN 1330 relative to a typical UMTS networkallows for increased bandwidth, spectral efficiency, and functionalityincluding, but not limited to, voice, high-speed applications, largedata transfer and IPTV, while still allowing for full mobility.

An example of a mobile data and communication service that may beimplemented in the PLMN architecture described in FIG. 7 is the EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). EDGE is an enhancement for GPRSnetworks that implements an improved signal modulation scheme known as9-PSK (Phase Shift Keying). By increasing network utilization, EDGE mayachieve up to three times faster data rates as compared to a typicalGPRS network. EDGE may be implemented on any GSM network capable ofhosting a GPRS network, making it an ideal upgrade over GPRS since itmay provide increased functionality of existing network resources.Evolved EDGE networks are becoming standardized in later releases of theradio telecommunication standards, which provide for even greaterefficiency and peak data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s, while still allowingimplementation on existing GPRS-capable network infrastructure.

Typically Mobile Station 1301 may communicate with any or all of BSS1310, RNS 1320, or E-UTRAN 1330. In a illustrative system, each of BSS1310, RNS 1320, and E-UTRAN 1330 may provide Mobile Station 1301 withaccess to Core Network 1340. The Core Network 1340 may include of aseries of devices that route data and communications between end users.Core Network 1340 may provide network service functions to users in theCircuit Switched (CS) domain, the Packet Switched (PS) domain or both.The CS domain refers to connections in which dedicated network resourcesare allocated at the time of connection establishment and then releasedwhen the connection is terminated. The PS domain refers tocommunications and data transfers that make use of autonomous groupingsof bits called packets. Each packet may be routed, manipulated,processed or handled independently of all other packets in the PS domainand does not require dedicated network resources.

The Circuit Switched—Media Gateway Function (CS-MGW) 1341 is part ofCore Network 1340, and interacts with Visitor Location Register (VLR)and Mobile-Services Switching Center (MSC) Server 1360 and Gateway MSCServer 1361 in order to facilitate Core Network 1340 resource control inthe CS domain. Functions of CS-MGW 1341 include, but are not limited to,media conversion, bearer control, payload processing and other mobilenetwork processing such as handover or anchoring. CS-MGW 1340 mayreceive connections to Mobile Station 1301 through BSS 1310, RNS 1320 orboth.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 1342 stores subscriber data regardingMobile Station 1301 in order to facilitate network functionality. SGSN1342 may store subscription information such as, but not limited to, theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), temporary identities,or Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses. SGSN 1342 may also storelocation information such as, but not limited to, the Gateway GPRSSupport Node (GGSN) 1344 address for each GGSN where an active PDPexists. GGSN 1344 may implement a location register function to storesubscriber data it receives from SGSN 1342 such as subscription orlocation information.

Serving Gateway (S-GW) 1343 is an interface which provides connectivitybetween E-UTRAN 1330 and Core Network 1340. Functions of S-GW 1343include, but are not limited to, packet routing, packet forwarding,transport level packet processing, event reporting to Policy andCharging Rules Function (PCRF) 1350, and mobility anchoring forinter-network mobility. PCRF 1350 uses information gathered from S-GW1343, as well as other sources, to make applicable policy and chargingdecisions related to data flows, network resources and other networkadministration functions. Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW) 1345 mayprovide user-to-services connectivity functionality including, but notlimited to, network-wide mobility anchoring, bearer session anchoringand control, and IP address allocation for PS domain connections.

Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 1363 is a database for user information,and stores subscription data regarding Mobile Station 1301 or UserEquipment 1302 for handling calls or data sessions. Networks may containone HSS 1363 or more if additional resources are required. Exemplarydata stored by HSS 1363 include, but is not limited to, useridentification, numbering and addressing information, securityinformation, or location information. HSS 1363 may also provide call orsession establishment procedures in both the PS and CS domains.

The VLR/MSC Server 1360 provides user location functionality. WhenMobile Station 1301 enters a new network location, it begins aregistration procedure. A MSC Server for that location transfers thelocation information to the VLR for the area. A VLR and MSC Server maybe located in the same computing environment, as is shown by VLR/MSCServer 1360, or alternatively may be located in separate computingenvironments. A VLR may contain, but is not limited to, user informationsuch as the IMSI, the Temporary Mobile Station Identity (TMSI), theLocal Mobile Station Identity (LMSI), the last known location of themobile station, or the SGSN where the mobile station was previouslyregistered. The MSC server may contain information such as, but notlimited to, procedures for Mobile Station 1301 registration orprocedures for handover of Mobile Station 1301 to a different section ofthe Core Network 1340. GMSC Server 1361 may serve as a connection toalternate GMSC Servers for other mobile stations in larger networks.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 1362 is a logical element which maystore the International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEI) for MobileStation 1301. In a typical example, user equipment may be classified aseither “white listed” or “black listed” depending on its status in thenetwork. In one example, if Mobile Station 1301 is stolen and put to useby an unauthorized user, it may be registered as “black listed” in EIR1362, preventing its use on the network. Mobility Management Entity(MME) 1364 is a control node which may track Mobile Station 1301 or UserEquipment 1302 if the devices are idle. Additional functionality mayinclude the ability of MME 1364 to contact an idle Mobile Station 1301or User Equipment 1302 if retransmission of a previous session isrequired.

FIG. 8 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary architecture of a LTEnetwork, in which one or more disclosed examples may be implemented. Asillustrated, network architecture 200 of FIG. 8 includes an EvolvedUniversal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) 205, a MME 210, aSGW 215, an intelligent HSS 218, a PCRF 240, and a PDN gateway/Policyand Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) 242. The PDN gateway 242 mayprovide a gateway between the LTE network and a public packet datanetwork 246 which may comprise IP networks that connect to a cloudservice or other data services. The different types of cloud servicesmay include Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a service(PaaS), Software as a service (SaaS), Storage as a service (STaaS),Security as a service (SECaaS), Data as a service (DaaS), Testenvironment as a service (TEaaS), Desktop as a service (DaaS), orapplication programming interface (API) as a service (APIaaS).

Intelligent HSS (iHSS) 218 may perform functions customary to an HSSsuch as AAA functions and subscriber location functions. In addition,intelligent HSS 218 may comprise an action and promotion engine 236, apolicy engine 233, an analysis and prediction engine 230, and anintelligent subscriber profile 238. In an example, intelligent HSS 218may also have data usage 220 for cloud services, user profile data 223,and rate plan data 226. Data usage 220 for cloud services may compriseinformation such as the time of day a particular type of cloud servicewas accessed, duration of cloud service access, volume of cloud servicedata accessed, provider of the cloud service, and the like. User ProfileData 223 may comprise general user preference data (e.g., phone model),wireless technology format capability (e.g., GPRS, LTE, WiFi, CDMA,etc.), user preferences for cloud services (e.g., preferred QoS for acloud service), applications associated with the mobile device (e.g.,social media application, cloud service application, radio application,music application, etc.), and common demographics of a user of a WTRU203. The demographics may include user age, home ownership, employmentstatus, gender, height, weight, birthday, college education status,income, and the like. Rate Plan Data 226 may comprise rate planinformation such as whether the rate plan is time based, bulk data usagebased, pay per use based, and the like.

One or more of the engines in the iHSS may use data usage 220, userprofile data 223, and rate plan data 226. All engines may communicateinstructions to PCRF 240 real-time as well as placing instructions andother information in the intelligent subscriber profile 238. ThePrediction engine 230 may analyze data usage 220, user profile data 223,and rate plan data 226 to predict future behavior. The Policy andCharging Engine 230 may enforce quality of service (QoS) and charging todeliver superior user experience. The Action and Promotion Engine 236may leverage coupon and campaign to promote usage of LTE cloud computingresources. The intelligent subscriber profile 238 may be similar to auser profile, but include the resulting analysis of the Action andPromotion Engine 236, Policy and Charging Engine 233, and Analysis andPrediction Engine 230. For example, the intelligent subscriber profile238 may comprise time delineated forecasts (predictions) of usagepatterns, recommended promotions and campaigns, time delineated networkconfiguration for a connected WTRU, and the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method 300 of implementingone or more disclosed examples. In an example at block 305, a MME mayquery an iHSS for mobility management (e.g., authenticate a useridentity). At block 310, the iHSS may query the MME for usage data andrate plan for the subscriber cloud service session. At block 315, theiHSS may perform analysis and prediction of future behavior based onpast history of the user. At block 320, the iHSS may request the PCRF toretrieve policy and charging rules for the user. At block 325, the iHSSmay perform promotion and campaign based on information gathered aboutthe user data usage, user profile, rate plan, and the like. Performingpromotion and campaign may include the iHSS communicating informationthat may encourage the user to expand the service mix of the user. Anexample service suggestion may be the purchase of a data plan thatincludes a provisioned (i.e., configured) tunnel to the cloud servicenetwork that allows the user a guaranteed end-to-end bandwidth.

The iHSS may perform real-time analysis (e.g., analysis during a cloudservice session) so that intelligent subscriber profile information maybe updated to the iHSS for future cloud services for the originatinguser device and the terminating cloud service device. A wide range ofLTE network elements (e.g., MME, PCRF, PDN-GW, PCEF, etc.) may query theiHSS for intelligent subscriber profile information and be configuredbased on the intelligent subscriber profile. Interaction between LTEnetwork elements (e.g., MME, PCEF, PCRF, etc.) and iHSS may occur priorto, during, and/or after the cloud service session.

FIG. 10 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method 400 of implementingone or more disclosed examples. In an example, at block 405 the iHSS mayanalyze several WTRU cloud service sessions data points gathered over aperiod of time. After analyzing the aforementioned cloud servicesessions the iHSS may determine (i.e., predict) at block 410 thewireless resources (e.g., type and amount of wireless access) and othernetwork resources (e.g., backbone network bandwidth and access to awireless network) that would be best tailored to the WTRU cloud servicesession. Network resources may include number of wireless channelsallocated, type of wireless technology (e.g., WiFi, GPRS, femtocell,LTE), amount of bandwidth, quality of service, network path, core orbackbone network devices (wireless and wireline) as described herein,and the like. At block 415, the iHSS may decide when the aforementioneddetermined resources should be allocated. For example, the resources maybe allocated immediately upon powering on the device, upon wake-up ofthe device after wireless inactivity or device inactivity, or during thecloud service session (e.g., throttling up or down of reserved bandwidthduring the cloud service session).

The iHSS may analyze several different data points associated with theWTRU cloud service sessions such as the time of day for cloud servicesessions and access to a particular cloud service. In another example,the user may be transitioned to a cell (e.g., wireless tower) earlierthan normal based on historical WTRU information which was constructedinto a probable (i.e., predicted) travel route for the WTRU. Thepredicted cell handover route may be pre-constructed by the Analysis andPrediction Engine of the iHSS and recorded within the intelligentsubscriber profile. In an example, the cloud service provider may havean agreement with the wide are wireless network provider to configurethe mobile phone customer device in a particular manner when accessingthe cloud service provider's cloud services. Network access (includingwireless access) may be configured based on the type of cloud serviceaccessed.

The iHSS may collaborate with LTE network elements (e.g., MME, PCRF,PDN-GW, etc.) to provide promotion and incentives for usage of cloudservice resources. FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method430 of implementing one or more disclosed examples. In an example, asshown in method 430, at block 435 the iHSS may analyze several WTRUcloud service sessions. At block 440, after analyzing the aforementionedcloud service sessions the iHSS may determine data usage plans or otherservices that may be of interest to the WTRU user and record it into theintelligent subscriber profile associated with the WTRU. At block 445,the iHSS may determine when the aforementioned determined servicepromotions should be displayed and record it into the intelligentsubscriber profile associated with the WTRU. For example, the resourcesmay be displayed upon powering on the WTRU, upon wake-up of the WTRUafter wireless inactivity, or during the cloud service session. In anexample, aspects of the network may be pre-provisioned in anticipationof use by the WTRU user at a particular time. For example, the type ofQoS may be pre-provisioned for a particular time frame that a WTRU of auser may access cloud services. In an example, based on data analysis asdisclosed herein, an advertised paid service (e.g., data usage plan) maybe selected immediately for a limited amount of time (e.g., only for theduration of a cloud service session). If the paid service is selected,the policy and charging engine may adjust the intelligent subscriberprofile accordingly and the profile change may be communicated to thenecessary network elements. In another example, based on data analysisas disclosed herein, there may be an advertisement or promotion for acloud service. The cloud service promotion may be for a competitor cloudservice with a lower price and comparable cloud services, for example.

It may be beneficial for the iHSS to handle the predictive analysis,intelligent subscriber profile changes, and different engines disclosedherein because the iHSS is one of the first network devices in thewireless network that may already be configured to assist inprovisioning of a user device to connect to the wireless network. TheiHSS allows for the upfront provisioning of appropriate resources upon adevice's initial connection with the network. Intelligent HSSfunctionalities may also be housed in an HLR type device. Although cloudservices are discussed, many of the disclosed concepts may be applied toother Internet, voice, or data network services. At least a portion ofthe intelligent subscriber profile created by the iHSS may becommunicated to other network devices such as the MME, SGW, PDN-GW,PCRF, PCEF, or the like for implementation. The iHSS may analyze aparticular device linked to a user or a group of devices that may berelated to a common user account. The intelligent subscriber profile maybe used to enhance cloud computing sessions. The intelligent subscriberprofile may be automatically updated based on real time analysis. Theanalysis, gathering of data, and the like as disclosed herein may applyto a WTRU associated with a particular user account. So it iscontemplated that a WTRU may be used for the first time, but anintelligent subscriber profile may be apply to the WTRU because of itsassociation with a subscriber.

The intelligent subscriber profile and the other functions of the iHSSmay be used in conjunction with navigation systems. As disclosed herein,the iHSS may analyze a user device usage pattern of a cloud service,Internet, or more generally data services. The iHSS may then predict anetwork configuration that is tailored to a WTRU or a WTRU associatedwith a subscriber account in a way that can be displayed to a device ona navigation map corresponding to text directions. The directions may bebased on walking, driving, or other modes of transportation.

As shown in FIG. 12, in an example, User X with device WTRU X and User Ywith device WTRU Y may intend to travel at the same time and in the samevehicle from Point A 505 to Point B 510 as show on highway map 500. UserX may enter a request for directions from Point A 505 to Point B 510 onWTRU X or a device communicatively connected the WTRU X (e.g., a vehiclenavigation system). User Y may also enter a request for directions fromPoint A 505 to Point B 510. In an example, the request for directions ofone or more devices may be centralized. For example, the vehiclenavigation system may be communicatively connected to both WTRU Y andWTRU X which may allow for the access of the necessary data to performthe necessary operations. The general navigation information may alsocomprise WTRU coverage information that may be based on analysis done bythe iHSS (e.g., Analysis and Prediction Engine and/or intelligentsubscriber profile).

As shown on highway map 500, there may be multiple routes from Point A505 to Point B 510 such as Route 515 and a Route 520. As shown in block530, the same mileage and time may be computed for WTRU X and WTRU Y,but different predicted coverages may be computed based on therespective devices intelligent subscriber profile. The predictedcoverage may be an indicator of (or based on) one or more of thefollowing: download/upload speeds, actual wireless antenna coverage,network congestion, network outages, network infrastructure (e.g., GSMor WiFi), and the like. The predicted coverage may also take intoaccount the predicted speed of the WTRU (e.g., vehicle traffic orwalking) to determine coverage scenarios.

As shown in block 530 for Route 515, WTRU X has a predicted coverage of90% for the entirety of the route 515 while WTRU Y has a predictedcoverage of 61%. Block 535 for Route 520 displays a predicted coverageof 86% for WTRU X and a predicted coverage of 81% for WTRU Y. Due to theimportance of network access for entertainment (e.g., downloading highdefinition movies) or work purposes (e.g., accessing cloud services forwork) route 520 which has a longer duration of 30 minutes, but has morestable predicted coverage, may be chosen over route 515 which has ashorter duration of 22 minutes. In an example, there may be color codedoverage indicators for a route, as shown in block 530 and 535. In anexample, color or other indicators may be overlaid onto highway map 500.The coverage indicators may be for an entire route or may be moregranular to show coverage indicators for every mile, half mile, 5 minutetimeframe, or the like. The indicators may be a graphic, text, or sound(e.g., voice or a tone). In an example, a user may be able to selectmultiple data usage scenarios/options during the route for navigationpurposes. The multiple data usage scenarios (e.g., the top threescenarios) may be based on information from the intelligent subscriberprofile. For example, the scenarios may be cloud Service 1, cloudService 2, or Entertainment 1. The different scenarios may be anindicator of the type of protocol used, a descriptor of the end deviceaccessed, or the like.

In an example, a predicted and/or a pre-constructed cell handover pathfor a WTRU may be based on the intelligent subscriber profile combinedwith information from a navigation system. Analysis of informationassociated with the expected route of a WTRU from the navigation systemand usage information from the intelligent subscriber profile, forexample, may allow the network to pre-construct when and to what towersthe WTRU should use. This pre-construction may allow for quicker andmore efficient handover between cell towers as well as the selection ofthe network cell towers that are optimal for the WTRU when traversingthat route. For example, the selected cell towers may have higherbandwidth capacity, provide better voice call quality, and/or may haveless congestion or errors. In an example, the selection of the radiotowers used may be based on matching the predicted WTRU networkresources with an objective of the service provider to conserveresources (e.g., map to 3G resources instead of 4G resources based on aprediction for voice only).

FIG. 13 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary network configuration 600comprising a wide area wireless network domain 620 and an alternativenetwork domain 610. FIG. 14 with reference to FIG. 13 illustrates anon-limiting exemplary method 700 for switching between a wide areawireless network domain 620 and an alternative network domain 610. Atblock 705, a WTRU 605 may be connected to wide area wireless networkdomain 620. At block 710, WTRU 605 may enter into an alternative networkdomain 610 coverage area. At block 715, WTRU 605 may send an extensibleauthentication protocol (EAP) message to the alternative network domain610 (i.e., WiFi). At block 720, an alternative network domain server 612(e.g., a network management device) may receive the message and send aSend Authentication Information (SAI) to HLR/HSS 622 in request for anauthentication vector. At block 725, HLR/HSS 622 may reply with anauthentication vector alternative network domain server 612. At block730, alternative network domain server 622 may send a subsequentlocation updated (LU) to HLR/HSS 622 to request a subscriber profile forservice authorization. At block 735, HLR/HSS 622 may reply with thesubscriber profile. At block 740, alternative network domain server 612may extract subscriber account status from the received subscriberprofile in order to send permission right of usage of alternativenetwork domain 610 to WTRU 605. At block 745, the WTRU 605 may autoreconnect with the wide area wireless network 620 and auto disconnectfrom the alternative network domain 610 when out of range of thealternative network domain 610.

Method 700 may reduce the amount of signaling traffic when switchingbetween the alternative network domain and the wide area wirelessnetwork domain and reduce the HLR/HSS processing load. The wide areawireless network may instruct a connected WTRU to switch to analternative network domain based on congestion or an outage in the widearea wireless network. The wide area wireless network may also triggeran alert to WTRU when the congestion and/or outage is relieved. In anexample, wide area wireless network may instruct a connected WTRU toswitch to an alternative network domain based on predictive switching. AWTRU may have an associated intelligent subscriber profile. Although thewide area wireless network may not have congestion at a period of time,the wide area wireless network may proactively signal to the WTRU toswitch to an alternative network domain in consideration of a usageprediction from the intelligent subscriber profile.

When wireless networks become overly congested or encounters an outage,there is an opportunity to redirect the packet switched (PS) datatraffic to an alternative network domain. Disclosed herein is an“integrated” Authentication and Authorization method that can beperformed with reduced signaling (i.e., a single pass), so that thesignaling traffic may be reduced.

Communications between the AAA server with an alternative network domainand the HLR/HSS inside the LTE network may use the signaling channel(e.g., SS7, SIGTRAN, etc.). Without an integrated AAA, a AAA server inthe alternative network domain may make multiple queries to the HLR/HSSin the mobility network domain. Furthermore when there is no integratedAAA, the AAA sever may validate subscriber identity and verify accountstatus each time the WTRU switches from the mobility domain to thealternative network domain.

In an example, there may be a single HLR/HSS solution for integrated(“one-stop”) authentication and authorization. A server entitlementserver query may perform Authorization and then the HLR/HSS SAI Querymay be used perform authentication. The MIND and SAI query may avoidtypical HLR/HSS authorization which requires the Location Update Requestin order to return with the “entire” subscriber profile, which may beunnecessary and cumbersome. The method may comprise the client Box (ornetwork management device) issuing a Lightweight Directory AccessProtocol (LDAP) Authorization Request to reach the Subscriber ProfileRepository (SPR)/service entitlement server database in order toretrieve subscriber account status. And then, only if the subscriberaccount is active, the HLR/HSS authentication may be performed.

FIG. 15 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary network configuration 800according to one or more disclosed examples. Network management device(NMD) 812 may optimally direct signaling traffic to an appropriateregional HLR/HSS. In an example, the NMD 812 may extract Hot SpotLocation info based on RADIUS attributes (e.g., NAS identifier, NAS IPaddress, location name, location iD, user name, etc.) in order to directthe SAI traffic to the appropriate HLR, HSS 822, or the like. The AAAdevice 814 may act as a nationwide backend server instead of a regionalbased server. In an example, since the HLR/HSS 822 already maintainsmultiple authentication vectors for each network as well as a subscriberprofile, which may include account status, it may be more efficient forHLR/HSS 822 to simply include a single status flag which may is a singleindicator for the account status for the account over multiple networksalong with the authentication vector when replying to the SAI request.

Examples disclosed herein may use a wide area wireless network domain,an alternative network domain interchangeably in its implementation. Forexample, the wireless navigation maps as discussed herein may displayinformation based on wide area wireless network domains, alternativenetwork domains, or both. In another example, a trigger to switchnetworks may come from the alternative network domain rather than thewide area wireless network domain.

While examples for dynamic network domain interoperability, intelligentsubscriber profiles, and the like have been described in connection withvarious communications devices and computing devices/processors, theunderlying concepts can be applied to any communications or computingdevice, processor, or system capable of implementing the disclosedsubject matter. The various techniques described herein may beimplemented in connection with hardware or software or, whereappropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods andapparatuses for dynamic network domain interoperability, intelligentsubscriber profiles, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can takethe form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangibleand/or non-transitory media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, harddrives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when theprogram code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as acomputer, the machine becomes an apparatus for the disclosed subjectmatter. A computer-readable storage medium, as described herein is anarticle of manufacture, and should not to be construed as a transient orpropagating signal. In the case of program code execution onprogrammable computers, the computing device will generally include aprocessor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. The program(s) can beimplemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. The languagecan be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardwareimplementations.

Methods and systems disclosed herein may also be practiced viacommunications embodied in the form of program code that is transmittedover some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring orcabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission,wherein, when the program code is received, loaded into, and executed bya machine, such as an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device(PLD), a client computer, or the like, the machine becomes an apparatusfor dynamic network domain interoperability, intelligent subscriberprofiles, and the like. When implemented on a general-purpose processor,the program code combines with the processor to provide a uniqueapparatus that operates to invoke the functionality of the disclosedsubject matter as described herein. Additionally, any storage techniquesused in connection with dynamic network domain interoperability,intelligent subscriber profiles, or other disclosed subject matter mayinvariably be a combination of hardware and software.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described in connection withthe various examples of the various figures, it is to be understood thatother similar examples may be used or modifications and additions may bemade to the described examples for performing the same function withoutdeviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognizeintelligent subscriber profiles as described in the present applicationmay apply to any environment, whether wired or wireless, and may beapplied to any number of such devices connected via a communicationsnetwork and interacting across the network. Therefore, dynamic networkdomain interoperability, intelligent subscriber profiles, or otherdisclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single example,but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance withthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a mobile device thatoperates with a wireless network; and a network device communicativelyconnected with the mobile device, the network device comprising: aprocessor; and a memory coupled with the processor, the memorycomprising executable instructions that when executed by the processorcause the processor to effectuate operations comprising: receiving arequest for directions for the mobile device to a destination; based onthe request for directions to the destination, determining wirelesscoverage for the mobile device along at least two different routes tothe destination; and selecting a route of the at least two differentroutes based on the wireless coverage along the at least two differentroutes to the destination; and providing directions associated with theselected route.
 2. The system of claim 1, the operations furthercomprising providing instructions to configure a network resource forthe mobile device based on the directions associated with the selectedroute.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the selecting the route of theat least two different routes is further based on a usage pattern of themobile device.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the selecting the routeof the at least two different routes is further based on a usage patternof the mobile device, wherein the usage pattern comprises a use of acloud service.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the request comprisesinformation associated with a selection of a plurality of data usagescenarios for the mobile device.
 6. The system of claim 1, theoperations further comprising providing instructions to display thedirections to the destination and an indicator of a networkconfiguration that is tailored to the mobile device along the route. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the determining of the wireless coveragefor the mobile device is based on information associated with data usageof the mobile device.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the determiningof the wireless coverage for the mobile device is based on networkbandwidth of a network resource along the route.
 9. The system of claim1, wherein the request for directions comprises an indication of a modeof transportation.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the determining ofthe wireless coverage for the mobile device is based on speed of themobile device.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memorycoupled with the processor, the memory comprising executableinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor toeffectuate operations comprising: sending a request for directions to adestination; responsive to the request for directions to thedestination, receiving directions to the destination, the directionsbased on wireless coverage associated with the apparatus; and providinginstructions to display the directions.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the request comprises information associated with data usage ofthe apparatus.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, the operations furthercomprising displaying an indicator of the wireless coverage for theapparatus along with the directions.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the request comprises information associated with speed of theapparatus.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, the operations furthercomprising displaying an indicator of the wireless coverage for theapparatus along with the directions, wherein the indicator comprises atleast one of text, a graphic, or sound.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11,the operations further comprising receiving instructions to access analternative network domain based on the wireless coverage.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the request for directions comprises anindication of walking or an indication of driving.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the request comprises information associated with aselection of a plurality of data usage scenarios.
 19. A methodcomprising: sending, by a processor, a request for directions to adestination; responsive to the request for directions to thedestination, receiving, by the processor, directions to the destination,the directions based on wireless coverage associated with the apparatus;and providing, by the processor, instructions to display the directions.20. The method claim 19, further comprising providing, by the processor,instructions to configure a network resource based on the directions tothe destination.